Aid trucks begin entering Gaza from Egypt: AFPTV
Gaza Awaits Aid as Israel Announces 'Tactical Pause'
Trucks laden with humanitarian supplies began crossing into the Gaza Strip from Egypt on Sunday, marking a tentative step towards alleviating the territory's dire humanitarian situation.
A Delicate Journey for Essential Goods
Despite the arrival of aid convoys, the journey to Gaza remains fraught with obstacles. While trucks cross the Rafah border from Egypt, they cannot enter directly due to last year's Israeli military seizure and damage to the Palestinian side. Instead, they must detour several kilometers to the Kerem Shalom crossing, controlled by Israel. Here, they undergo inspection before being permitted into southern Gaza.
AFP footage captured large trucks displaying logos of organizations like the Egyptian Red Crescent and the United Arab Emirates, with signs proclaiming "United Arab Emirates – Humanitarian Aid to Gaza – Water Support Projects in Gaza."
A Brief Respite for Devastated Areas
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Israel announced a “tactical pause” in certain areas of Gaza from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. This respite applies specifically to Al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah, and parts of Gaza City, where Israeli troops are currently not operating.
The Israeli military also claimed to have opened secure routes across the enclave to facilitate United Nations and other aid convoys.
Mounting Pressure for Humanitarian Access
This development follows escalating international pressure concerning Gaza's worsening hunger crisis. Israel has initiated air-drops of food into the territory, mirroring similar announcements from the UAE and UK. However, skepticism remains among humanitarian officials. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warned that air drops are "expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians."
While Israel insists it is not restricting aid and alleges some UN agencies are failing to distribute supplies already within Gaza, relief organizations counter by accusing the military of limiting access and creating dangerous conditions near distribution centers.
On Saturday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported over 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes and shootings, including individuals waiting for aid.